It shall be the purpose of this sketch to record for
posterity the lineage of the SEIBOLD family, so far as it is available at the
present time. May its descendants find it a source of inspiration and pride to
meditate upon the sterling qualities which marked their worthy ancestors, who,
like the patriarchs of old, left their kin and embarked for a new and strange
country, never again to behold the place which memory endured and enriched with
all the charm and beauty that the name “FATHERLAND” implies. Cheerfully they
bore the hardships, and patiently the privations incident to so great a venture;
ceaselessly and ardently they toiled to establish their new home.

May they be tendered the admiration and respect they so richly deserve, and may
their off-spring constantly endeavor to emulate the example of their
forefathers. The faith and sincerity; the honesty and integrity; the industry
and thrift, which characterized them shall be a heritage unto all the succeeding
generations. May the memory of those long since departed be cherished in the
hearts of those who bear their name.

BALDUS FREDERICK SEIBOLD:
(or Balthas)

The son of Johann Phillip Seibold and Friedericke Hess, was born
on July 18th, 1812, in the little town of Fellbach near the beautiful city of
Stuttgart in southern Germany, and this was also the home of his ancestors. His
father and mother succumbed to a typhoid epidemic and left the hapless orphan,
only 1 ½ years old, and his brothers and sisters to the mercy of relatives and
friends. For several years he was cared for by his grandparents, then upon their
death, came into a family named Morgenthal, who very diligently collected the
allowance which had been set apart for his support, and gave as little as
possible in return. He was unceremoniously introduced to hard work and his early
years were devoid of the love and sympathy which is a child’s rightful
inheritance. In the womanly heart of Friederike Neeff he found that which he had
so long been deprived of, and they were wedded in the year 1838, when he had
attained the age of 25 years, and his wife 23. They operated a small farm and
planted their vineyards, employing some help.

Eight, fine, healthy children came to bless their household; four boys and four
girls, as follows:

These children were baptized in the Lutheran Church, attended the public school,
and assisted their parents in their work and vineyard.

Bad seasons, crop failures, and a strong immigration to America in 1853 and
1854, gave rise to the thought of setting out for the new continent. Frederick
and Friederike, the two oldest children, with youthful ardor declared their
intention of accompanying their father and mother, and jointly they succeeded in
converting the other members of the family to the project. The farm was sold and
they left their old home on June 1, 1854, traveling through France to the
seaport Havre, where they set sail on June 16, on a fine, new ship from Boston,
called the Marciaday. They were seven weeks enroute because of a long spell of
calm, still weather. About a week before reaching New York, off the coast of
Newfoundland, the boat almost ran upon a rock due to a heavy fog and a careless
sailor on the look-out. Another sailor caught sight of the rock and alarmed the
Captain, who gave hurried orders, and helped the man at the stern, the danger
being averted before half of the passengers were aware of it. The Fourth of July
was celebrated on board ship by the officers and sailors donning their best
clothes.

On August 3rd, they landed in New York; and two pleasant days
were spent in Brooklyn with relatives of the father. In the evening of the
second day the family boarded a steamboat on the Hudson River, and arrived in
Albany before morning. They proceeded in an immigrant train to Buffalo, stopped
there one day, thence in a steamboat to Detroit. On Lake Erie the boat carried a
cargo of coffee on deck and the family had been disporting themselves on these
coffee sacks as best they could. In the evening a kind-hearted officer directed
them to some unoccupied berths in the staterooms and they were comfortably
established for the night. Some hours later the boat was rammed by another
vessel, and the place where they had been sitting was literally covered with
wreckage. The protecting arm of God was ‘round about them and kept them from
harm.

From Detroit they journeyed to Chicago in an immigrant train,
consisting of cattle cars; then to LaSalle in a passenger train, waiting two
days in LaSalle for a boat to Peoria. Progress from there was very slow, as
there was not enough water in the Illinois River to float the boat. In Hennepin
they were actually grounded. This last lap of their journey required two days.
There were no supplies on board, and father was obliged to go on shore to find
food. He returned with a basket of hard-boiled eggs, a pitcher of milk, and some
crackers, which he had procured at a farm house, and so allayed the pangs of the
hungry family.

In Peoria, they were met by old friends (the Schwab family), who
had been neighbors in the fatherland, and were given a hearty welcome. They
rented a small house in Bloomstown from a man named Bloom, in the territory
between Spring and Green Streets, and lived there over the winter, Father
obtaining work as a laborer. In the spring of 1855, they purchased five acres of
land in South Peoria, in the Griswold Addition, built a home, and established a
market-gardening business which is still flourishing at the present day.

Mother Friederike passed to the great beyond on December 30th,1887, at the age
of 72 years. She was indeed a devoted wife and mother; her life was spent in
sacrificial service for her loved ones. An injury to her hip, sustained in a
fall, hastened her death.

Father Baldus’ call came five years later on the 26th day of December, 1892,
while living at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Karolina Krause, on Griswold
Street. He was a man in the deepest sense of the world and word; a strong and
steadfast; righteous and true, and he enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him.
His life was well lived and his rest well earned.

FREDERICK J.

The eldest son of the family, at the age of fifteen years,
secured employment in Stewart’s Bakery on North Washington Street, later, he
assisted Mr. Moenninghof in the Peoria House, then the leading Hostelry in
Peoria, where it was his privilege to see the famous Lincoln-Douglas Party. In
1859 he decided to see more of this country, and went to St. Louis. He hired out
as cook on steamboats running up and down the Mississippi River and the Illinois
and Missouri Rivers, and continued this work for several years until the Civil
War broke out and the steamboats stopped running. He enlisted in the Eleventh
Regiment of the Illinois Calvary, and served three years, keeping his health
until the third year. Then nearly all of the boys became ill, and many, many
graves were filled with heroes. When Frederick was paid off at Memphis,
Tennessee on December 20th, 1864, he was scarcely able to stand on his feet.
Home and father and mother were a welcome sight to the sick and weary soldier
who arrived on the day after Christmas.

By early spring he had somewhat regained his strength and went
to work for his brother-in-law, Wendelin Kneer, at the Railroad Exchange Hotel,
and remained there one year. In February 1866, he entered into partnership with
George Schaefer of Henry, Illinois, who had been his comrade in arms, and
together they conducted a bakery and restaurant. On the 24th of June, 1867, he
was married to Mary Ohl of Peoria, whom he had met several years before, and in
May 1868, they moved to Sparland, Il, where he continued his chosen profession
until he died, February 26th, 1926, his beloved wife having preceeded him on
June 14, 1914. Their union was blessed with seven children, four boys dying in
infancy.

To Frederick J. Seibold must be accredited the assemblage held
here today. It was his pleasure to gather the members of his family about him on
the anniversary of his birth, August 27, and from year to year the company
increased until the happy thought of an Annual Seibold Reunion evolved. The
organization was perfected on Aug. 30, 1925, about 150 members of the clan being
in attendance at South Park, and the occasion proved a most enjoyable one to all
present, perhaps especially so to Uncle Fred who sensed that it would be his
last earthly reunion with the family.

FRIEDERIKE:

The eldest daughter was married on February 28, 1861 to John
Zimmerman, who lived on a farm near Washington, Illinois. They occupied a
staunch, pioneer log cabin home, and eleven children were there born to them,
one son dying when he reached young manhood. Mr. Zimmerman followed him on
January 5, 1905, and for a time the family continued on the old home place. The
fourth son, Fred, then moved to Washington, Il. and organized the Washington
Dairy. This concern has remarkedly prospered, until today Washington Dairy milk
is a household word in hundreds of Peoria homes. The business has assumed large
proportions, and embraces not only the general dairy products, but also
restaurant service, and the manufacture of ice cream.

WILHELMINA:

At the age of 13 years, found work in the Washington House,
where she remained for many years. Her efficiency and superior cooking became
reknowned. On July 6th, 1862, just before her brother Frederick departed for the
Army, she was united with Wendelin Kneer in marriage. Mr. Kneer had been working
on the farm of Sheriff Riggs in Scotland Prairie. They purchased the Railroad
Exchange Hotel, and operated the same for 29 years, then retired to a small farm
on Lincoln Avenue. Mr. Kneer was injured in a fall which resulted in his death
on November 18, 1892. Mrs. Kneer continued the farm for a time, but later, upon
the advice of her children, moved to a home on North Madison Avenue, where she
was called to her final rest on her birthday, December 12th, 1918, her age being
77 years. Eight children constituted this family; four of whom still live.

AUGUST:

The second son, when he had reached a man’s estate, started out
with a friend to see California. They made the trip in a covered wagon, as was
customary in those days, and returned home by way of New York. He joined his
brother-in-law, Mr. Kneer, in the Railroad Exchange, and together they conducted
this hotel for a number of years. He then assumed charge of the Central Park,
which was Peoria’s only recreation place at that time. He found a help-mate in
the person of Susanna Sommers, and they were wedded in October 1871. To them
were born ten children, eight of whom survive. After leaving the Central Park,
they moved on a farm near the upper free bridge, where the widow still resides.
His death occurred on May 29, 1905.

KAROLINA:

She was married on October 18th, 1863 to Charles Krause. His
original profession was painting, but ill health forced him to abandon his trade
and he took up gardening. He purchased a number of acres in the Griswold
Addition in South Peoria, adjoining his wife’s homestead, and this property is
still owned and occupied by members of his family after 61 years. Ten children
came to grace this household, four preceeding their father, who died on November
20th, 1922. Mr. & Mrs. Krause, in 1892, crossed the ocean and visited Europe and
the old home.

WILLIAM H:

He and Miss Johanna Lemke were married on Thanksgiving Day in
the year 1871. To him belongs the distinction of literally following his
father’s footsteps. The original property and homestead came into his possession
in 1872, and the market gardening business established by his father is still
carried on by his family, enhanced and enlarged, an unbroken record of 71 years,
and one of which he may be justly proud.

The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. William H. Seibold was observed
with appropriate celebration on November 29th, 1921. They were honored by a
large company of relatives and friends who came to offer their congratulations
upon the happy event. Fifty years of united effort and endeavor, in joy and
sorrow, sunshine and rain, is a favor not commonly bestowed on mortals, and this
fact was given due recognition.

ERNEST:

The youngest son remained unmarried. He followed the blacksmith
trade for a time, and died at the age of 47 years on November 13th, 1901.

BERTHA:

The youngest child of Baldus and Friederike Seibold, became the
bride of Andrew Zimmerman on June 28th, 1869. He was a brother of her eldest
sister’s husband, and was associated with the Strehlow and Wetzlau Liquor Firm
on Fulton Street. When the call came for service in the Civil War, he enlisted
in the Eighty-second Company of Illinois Volunteers, and was seriously wounded
in battle. He succeeded in dragging himself from the scene of action, and for
four days lay without medical attention or aid. The report came to his family
that he had been lost, and they mourned him sadly though prematurely. The
hardship and exposure which he endured left a permanent imprint upon him, and he
suffered from the effects until his death, January 15th, 1915. Seven children
were the pride of those parents, one of whom they mourn.

In conclusion, may it be stated that Monday August 16, 1926, marked the 72nd
anniversary of the arrival of the Seibold family in Peoria. A record which but
few Peorians are able to boast.
It is meet that a fitting tribute be paid to the brave pioneers, who laid so
splendid a foundation in the long ago and contributed so largely to the good of
the community.

And, -- THANKS BE UNTO GOD, who gave so bountifully of His
blessings to this great family; who endowed them with virtue and strength, and
gave them both the will and to do of his good pleasure.